Seismic analysis of solid waste landfills

Equivalent-linear and truly non-linear seismic site response analyses for solid waste landfills are calibrated with the observed behavior of the OII landfill in recent earthquakes. The calibrated analyses provide insight into the selection of solid waste properties for seismic design, fundamental aspects of the seismic behavior of solid waste landfills, and limitations of the equivalent-linear method. Observations and predictions of seismic response demonstrate that outcrop motions can be amplified by landfills, that the peak average acceleration of the landfill mass is unlikely to exceed the peak outcrop acceleration, and that the unit weight and initial shear wave velocity gradients within the landfill are important factors in seismic response analyses. Non-linear analyses demonstrate the potential benefit of low shear strength geosynthetic interfaces with respect to reduction of the peak acceleration response of the landfill.